I asked for and got a half-holiday.

I had given no thought to the matter until the appearance of Lincoln (for he it was) in the school-room.

But, something in the man had aroused, not only in me but in others of the scholars, a strong desire to see him again and to hear him speak.

Isaac Walker in his younger days had been a resident of the village.

Lincoln was aware of this, and shrewdly suspected that Walker in his remarks would allude to the circumstance; so, having the opening speech, he determined to 'take the wind out of his sails.' He did so--how effectually, it is hardly necessary for me to say.